In this era of technology, our lives have gone too busy and robotic that we have forgotten to LIVE our life properly.
Did you know that we, Americans spend 90 percent of our lives indoors? Between going to and from our jobs, spending 8+ hours a day working and going about our regular daily business, we see nature more on our TVs than we do in real life.
Spending time outside, and being active, is beneficial to both adults and children. Let’s look at some of the most compelling reasons to break away from the computer and head into the backyard or to the nearest park or woods.
From improving our moods to feeling more chill, being outdoors is something we all could use more of.
- Sunlight can help prevent myopia in children:
Myopia or nearsightedness is being observed to rise in children in recent years. This disease is caused by an elongation of the eyeball. But researchers worldwide have found that this disease is caused by the lack of sunlight in children. The researchers recommend two to three hours of sunlight per day to prevent children from developing myopia.
- Playing with nature – reduces stress levels:
Interaction with nature reduces stress; it is the best advantage of being outdoors. Stress is known to trigger or worsen diseases. So the more time you spend amidst nature, the healthier you will be.
When you indulge yourself in nature and play with it. It grabs you more tightly! Imagine a trip to far off place from your routine life. Climbing the huge mountains, Kayaking in a fresh flowing stream or surfing on the waves of the sea- sounds refreshing right?
With so many gadgets and technologies, we have forgotten to MOVE ourselves- literally. Activities like boating, kayaking, hiking, skiing or surfing in open natural places, keep us healthy and active, decreases stress level.
Researchers had two groups walk for the same amount of time, one in an urban area and one in nature. In the nature group, it was observed that neural activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex portion of the brain (the part responsible for negative thought) decreased. Getting into nature can boost the activity of a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection and tumor cells. It also helps lower your blood pressure and reduce stress if you take yourself away from a hyperactive environment and spend time in nature, your mind will have the chance to stabilize and relax, which will leave you healthier in the long run.
- You’ll become more resourceful:
If you’re starving at home and have nothing to eat. Or maybe you want to work out at home, but you don’t have any equipment. Don’t Google it; go outdoors.
According to a study, spending time in nature also stimulates our problem-solving skills and strengthens cognition. By distancing yourself from technological stimulation, you are allowing the part of your brain that controls problem-solving skills and multitasking, to restore it. Thus, you get to know the “best eateries” near you or “unique ways to use your body weight to work out,” without even using the internet.
- Deficiency of vitamin D:
Lack of Vitamin-D in both, children and adults, is common these days. The reason behind is that we don’t interact with nature, our intake of sunlight and natural light is below average. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common weaknesses among American adults. It is produced by the sunlight we soak up. Our body doesn’t rely on the food we eat, to gain vitamin D.
We need to get at least 10 to 15 minutes of unprotected time in the sun each day to gain enough Vitamin D.
For more information: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-spending-more-time-outside-is-healthy-2017-7
- Better academic performance:
Spending time among nature helps in reducing mental fatigue and improves cognitive performance. A Finnish study showed that running and playing in the beautiful outdoors can improve academic achievements in children. A study was conducted on the kids of first through third grades, and it was found that moderate to vigorous activity—especially in boys—directly correlated to better arithmetic skills, reading fluency and comprehension. The children, who are introverts and likes to be at home or indoors most of their time has poorer skills in both reading and math.
See more https://earth911.com/living-well-being/health-benefits-outdoors/
As John Muir proclaimed in Our National Parks: “Nature’s peace will flow into you, as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,
while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” So get outside today.
Author bio: Tom is a blogger and a nature lover. He is obsessed with traveling and adventures and that too with his family. He believes that water has a steady hold of him. He regularly writes about his experiences at http://kayakcritic.net/